Electric controller.



H. S. VALENTINE.

ELECTRIC CONTROLLER. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30,1915.

.ou c 2 M an Hz m Tn o sTATns PATENT orinon.

HERBERT s. VALENTINE, or PHILADELPHIA, PEN SYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR 'ro LINK- 1? BELT COMPANY, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

ELECTRIC CONTROLLER Application filed June 30, 1915. Serial No. 37,347.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, llnnnnn'r S. VALEN- TINE, a citizen of the United States, residing in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania, have in- ,vented certain Improvements in Electric Controllers, of which the following is a specification.

One Object of the invention is to provide a noveltand relatively simple form of controller finger with a coiiperating support whereby said finger is free to automatically adjust itself about a longitudinal axis, the supporting means for the finger being so placed as to be freely accessible.

This object and other advantageous ends I secure as hereinafter set forth, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figures 1 and 2 are respectively a side elevation and a plan of a controller finger and its coiiperating support constructed according to my invention.

In the above drawings 20 represents a finger-supporting bar provided at one end with a laterally projecting enlargement 21 for the reception of a conductor-holding binding screw 22, while its other end is extended in the opposite direction, as indicated at 23, so as to project around the adjacent edge of the block 19. This same end of the bar 20 has an outwardly extending fulcrum portion 2% whose extremityis transversely rounded to serve as a rocker for the contact finger 25, while the end edges of this extremity are likewise rounded so that it permits a slight lateral rocking of said finger. The finger consists of an elongated bar of channel section primarily held in position by a bolt 26 which is threaded through the finger support 20 and assists in holding this latter rigidly to a suitable structure (not shown).

The belt 26 is provided at its outer end with a washer 27 kept from outward movement by a cotter pin 28 and confining a spring 29 between itself and the finger 25, which is forced by said spring toward a lug 30 whose sides serve as guides for the side flanges of the finger. The Outer end of the finger body, (which is preferably of brass),

has riveted to it a contact head 31 usually of copper, While its opposite end has riveted to it a copper pig-tail Or braid 32 permanently connected to a washer 33 clamped to the extension 21 of the finger support 20 by Specification of Letters Patent. Patented May 14, 1918. i

varied by an adjusting screw 35 which is threaded through a sleeve 36 having a slight taper and provided with a rectangular flange 37 at one end.

from rotation and the sleeve 80 This latter fits between the side flanges of the finger so as to be kept is forced through a suitable opening in the body of the finger in such manner as to be frictionally held in place.

Each sleeve 36 is provided with two oppositely disposed longitudinal slots designed 'for the reception of a cotter pin passing through the screw 35 whereby rotation of said screw after its adjustment is effectually prevented.

Each of the screws 22, in addition to meehanioally holding the end of the conducting braid 32 to the finger supporting structure, serves as part of the direct. electrical circuit whereby current is conveyed from this braid to .the conductor 40 which is clamped in a cavity of the finger support 20 by said screw.

Owing to the fact that the finger is permitted a slight movement of rotation about its longitudinal axis upon the fulcrum lug 2st, it may readily adjust. itself so as to make good contact with a controller segment even if this should be unevenly worn. At the same time, said finger is free to rock up or down upon the same lug 24 when the screw is adjusted, it being noted particularly that the spring acting on the finger is mounted between the fulcrum lug 24 and adjusting screw 35. The particular arrangement of the adjusting screws 35 whereby these are rendered accessible is largely due1 to the placing of the fulcrum lug between the contact head 31 and the other structures operative on the finger, the screw 35 not only serving as an adjusting means for the finger, but also acting as a stop or rest.

\Vhile as previously stated the finger is free to turn to a limited extentabout its longitudinal axis, thelug 30 is so arranged as to prevent excessive lateral movement of the head 31. Again the spring supporting stud 26 serves also to hold the finger carrying member 20 in place and altogether the construction described is economical of material, etlicient in action and of a substantial construction which renders unlikely the necessity for frequent renewal or repairs.

I claim I 1. The combination of a supporting structure having a projection constituting a tulcrum; a contact finger of channel section mounted to rock on sa1d fulcrum with its side portions engaging the sides of the fill cruni; a contact head on oneend of said finger; an ad ustable stop carried by the opture having two projections of which one constitutes 'a fulcrum; a contact finger of channel section rockable on the fulcrum and guided by the'second pro ection; with astud assin throu h said second nro'ection and b b L i the finger; and a spring on said stud acting to force the finger toward the projection.

l. The combination of a finger carrier; an elongated finger fulcrumed on said carrier;

,aeenso,

a threaded sleeve mounted in an opening of the finger and having a head non-rotatably engaged by a portion of said finger; a spring operative on the finger to resist its movement in. one direction; with an adjusting screw mounted in the sleeve and abutting upon the carrier. 1

5. The combination of a finger carrier having a projection constituting a fulcrum; and

) asecond projection terminating in a parallel sided portion; an elongated contact finger of channel section rockable on said fulcrum receiving said parallel sided portion between its flanges; with a spring operative on said finger to normally hold it in a definite position.

(3. The combination of a finger carrier hav ing a projection constituting a fulcrum; and a second projection terminating in a parallel sided portion; an elongated contact finger of channel section rockable on said fulcrum receiving said parallel sided portion between its flanges; with a spring operative on said finger to normally hold it in a definite position; and a contact head for said finger on the side of the fulcrum opposite said spring.

HERBERT S. VALENTINE. 

